You're woken up by the sound of the horse crying out. You sit up slowly, jacket sliding down your body. What's going on? Have you stopped travelling? You can't feel the wagon moving any more, so you must have. You also notice that it's dark outside, which in your mind confirms your suspicion. Scar must have finally given into Yoki's complaining, and decided to let him rest for the night.

Speaking of Scar, he's still sat in front of you, body turned slightly in your direction. He must have heard you sit up.

He's scowling when he speaks, but his words hold no anger. It must just be how he always speaks. 'You're awake, I see. We're close enough to Central that I thought it wise to rest for the night. There's a derelict house not far from here. It'll be a good place for you to hide out while I seek my target.' His voice does go a little dangerous at the end, but that's understandable. After all, not many people can speak in an impassive tone when discussing murder.

You pick up his jacket, holding it out to him. He doesn't take it. 'You should put that on for now. It's cold outside, I don't want to risk you falling ill.' You do as he instructed, sliding your arms into the sleeves. It's huge on you, the sleeves hanging off of your arms as if you were wearing a robe! You swear you see the briefest of smiles cross Scar's face, as he too examines how you look in his jacket. Alas, it's probably just wishful thinking. He has the eyes of a man who has long forgotten how to smile…

You hear a voice coming from outside the wagon. 'Can we go inside now, sir? It's freezing out here.'

Scar lets out an irritated growl, twisting his head to face the source of the voice; Yoki, you presume. 'Fine. Get a fire started if you can. I saw some logs not far from the house.' He turns his gaze upon you again. 'We should get moving.' He turns to leave the wagon, and you follow suit, trying your hardest not so stare at his backside as you crawl out. You know that you have to stop thinking of him in that way, especially after what you heard on the journey here. Any feelings you have will always be one-sided, so it's best to hide them away. It will only end in heartbreak…

Scar helps you out of the wagon, making sure you land on your feet. The warmth of his hands seems to seep through your clothing, and you prey that he doesn't notice the blush that has started to form. If he does, he doesn't say anything.

Scar reaches over you into the wagon, trying to locate the supplies you procured when you took it. His proximity causes your blush to intensify, and you wonder if he knows the effect he has on you. No, he can't know something like that. If he knew you had any kind of feelings for him, he'd distance himself from you entirely. Scar might be many things, but he's not cruel enough to toy with your emotions like that. Either that, or he just assumes that your feelings aren't genuine. Sure, you may not have known him for very long, but that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel something for him. You're not in love with him, not by any stretch of the imagination. Still, you wish he'd give you the chance to get to know him, so you can decide for yourself if there's something in him worth loving. Your heart tells you that there is, but your head just isn't sure. If only he wasn't so closed off…

He retrieves the supplies, slinging them onto his back. He speaks to you again. 'There should be enough in this bag to last you while I'm gone. I'll make sure to return with more.' He starts walking up to the house. Without thinking, your hand reaches up to tap on his shoulder. He looks back at you, startled by the sudden contact.

'Why don't you let me carry that? You're still not totally recovered yet, and I don't want you to make things worse for yourself.' You make to grab the bag, but he stops you, gently pushing your hand away.

'You've done enough to help me. I don't expect you to do anything more.' He speeds towards the house before you have a chance to argue with him.

You sigh heavily. He'll never open up to you at this rate.

You reluctantly follow, silently wishing that he was walking beside you.

-t/s-

The moon is high in the sky by the time you finish eating. Yoki had somehow managed to get a fire going, once again proving his usefulness. You'd all eaten in a tense silence, the atmosphere threatening to boil over at the slightest provocation. At one point, it almost had. You'd manage to spill some food onto your chest, your mind still preoccupied with thinking about Scar. Without thinking, you'd brushed the food away, causing your breasts to jiggle slightly. Yoki had immediately stopped eating, his eyes fixated on the sudden motion. He'd licked his lips, lewd thoughts clearly running through his head. The growl that Scar had let out in response to his inappropriate behaviour was almost fierce enough to make grown men cry. In Yoki's case, it did make a grown man cry, despite his best attempts to hide his snivels behind mouthfuls of food. For the briefest of moments, you're certain Scar's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

With your meal finally finishing, Yoki lets out a loud yawn. 'Mmn, I think it's time I finally went to bed. I'm exhausted after all that riding. Woman, you can take first watch. It'll be good to see you doing something useful for a change.' You feel a shift in Scar's attitude, signalling that he's going to start growling at Yoki again. Before he has the chance, you answer.

'Sure, I don't mind. It's probably best you get some sleep before you start running your mouth off again. I'd hate to see Scar waste good anger on you.' His mouth opens and closes rapidly, like a fish gasping for breath. He's clearly about to retort, but scar cuts him off.

'Enough. You heard her. Get some rest before she changes her mind.' Yoki gives you a death glare, before setting into a sleeping position. Within moments, you hear soft snores coming from the man. He really must be exhausted.

Scar addresses you. 'Wake me when you've had enough. I'll take the next watch.' With that, he too adjusts his position, before falling into what you're sure is a troubled sleep.

As you setting into your duty as watchman, you make a mental note to stick it out for as long as you possibly can; Scar needs rest far more than you do.

-POV Switch-

'This room is poorly lit,' Scar thinks as he opens his eyes. The smell of blood and chemicals fills his nostrils, and for a moment he wonders if this is what death feels like. A figure slowly approaches him, carrying medical supplies from what he can tell. It's an Amestrian woman, which in his mind reassures him that he's not dead. Unless this is hell? If so, what has he done to deserve this? He'd lived a life full of meditation, prayer, and warrior training. He'd been what many would call the perfect Ishvalan son. Then again, he had just failed all those who would refer to him as such. Despite all of his training, he had failed to protect his family. All except…

'Brother? Where are you? Did I manage to keep you safe at least?' The Amestrian woman is talking to him, but he can't hear what he's saying. Something about his face maybe? She turns away, joining another Amestrian on the far side of the room. He reaches a hand up to his face, wanting to see what the woman was talking about. His blood runs cold as his arm rises into view.

It's not his arm.

It's covered in tattoos.

Brother?

Anger courses through his veins. He really has failed them all. His whole family, gone in the blink of an eye. All thanks to the Amestrian Military, and those dogs they call State Alchemists. They shall all pay for what they've done. If he couldn't save his family, and if he can't save his people, then he shall avenge them, starting right now.

Blinded by anger, Scar rises from his makeshift bed, and heads straight over to the two Amestrians. He dispatches the man immediately, giving him no time to register his fate. The woman screams out, fear colouring her features. He had planned to be quick with her too, but for some reason he starts to strangle her slowly instead. She struggles against him, unwilling to die without putting up a fight. She gasps out what are to become her last breaths, hands shoving against his shoulders in a final weak attempt to get him off of her.

Just when he feels the life fading from her body, her breaths transform into gentle calls of his name. 'Scar,' slips from her mouth time and time again, causing him to blink hard in confusion. When his eyes open again, the woman has changed in appearance, shifting from the Amestrian woman into the single most beautiful woman he's ever seen. She's an Ishvalan like him, her crimson eyes giving away her ethnicity in a heartbeat. Unlike his, her eyes are filled with compassion and concern, not hatred and anger. Her skin looks unblemished, and is soft underneath his vice-like grip. Her body is perfect, like she is made in the image of some divine being. Her cries of his name convince him to stop his movements, but his hands have other ideas. They crush down harder, as if they want her to die more than they wanted the Amestrian to. Why? Why would anyone desire this woman dead? She seems so beautiful, so pure. There's a goodness that radiates from her very being. He wants to hold her, to bring her close and allow that goodness to heal his tormented soul. And yet, his hands continue to tighten around her neck.

-POV Switch-

A few hours into your guard duties, you hear Scar making noises in his sleep. They don't concern you at first; he's probably having some kind of vivid dream. It's only when his whole body starts shaking that you decide to intervene. You walk over to him, gently shaking his shoulders.

'Scar,' you call out. 'Scar, wake up.' His body shakes even more violently. 'Scar? Scar! Scar, please wake up! You need to wake up! Scar!' You begin to panic, a few tears escaping from your eyes. What if you can't wake him? What if he hurts himself? What if-

Before you have time to worry any more, his eyes snap open. He pushes you onto your back and looms over you, the impact with the floor winding you. As you gasp from breath, Scar pants heavily on top of you, raw fury in his eyes. For a moment you're afraid that he's going to hurt you, until you see something click just behind his eyes. They soften instantly, the fury being replaced by what you're sure is concern. He leans back a bit, giving you more room to breath.

His brow furrows as he looks you in the eyes. 'Did I hurt you?' You can't answer him verbally, lungs still desperately trying to regain their oxygen supply. You shake your head, not wanting to worry him. You try desperately to smile at him, but that's proving to be difficult.

As you slowing regain control of your breathing, he remains perfectly still, as if he's awaiting verbal confirmation. His body is so close that the slightest shift in your position would cause you to rub against him. If you sit up slightly, you'd even be able to press your lips against his…

Breath finally restored, you give him the confirmation he's been looking for. 'I'm okay, Scar. You just winded me is all. It's my own fault, anyway.'

Scar looks at you, face full of confusion. 'I am the one who hurt you. How are you to blame?'

You smile sheepishly at him, rubbing the back of your neck in embarrassment. 'Well, I noticed you were having a bad dream, so I woke you up. I shouldn't have invaded your personal space like that, but I couldn't just sit here and watch you suffer. I'm sorry.' you say, eyes dropping to the ground in shame. You expect him to leave it at that, to accept your apology and move on.

What you don't expect is for him to gently tilt your chin up so he can look you in the eyes again.

Another thing that surprises you is what you see in them. Instead of the usual hate or anger, you see something softer, almost tender. It's only there for a fleeting moment, but you're certain that what you've just seen is real.

After staring into your eyes a little longer than can be considered polite, Scar speaks. 'I am the one who should apologise. This not the first time I have harmed someone who only wished to help me. I only pray that it is the last.' He releases his hold on your chin, placing his hand into his lap. The air between you is charged with emotions, as you try to find the courage to ask him what he means by that. He seems so vulnerable right now, as if he has yet to rebuild his usual wall. Maybe it's because he'd let his guard down so he could sleep properly? Whatever the reason, you know you have to say something, to get something past the wall before it's too high for you to infiltrate.

Instead of asking him questions about his past, which are almost certain to bring his guard up, you decide to make him an offer.

'If you ever want to talk about your past with anyone, you know you can talk to me, right? I won't judge you, no matter what. You could tell me that you've slaughtered a thousand kittens and I still wouldn't say anything judgemental or hurtful.' Adding gallows humour in there was probably a mistake, but it's too late to take it back now.

He seems to consider your words carefully before speaking again. 'I don't doubt your capacity for acceptance, but there are some things in this world that are unforgivable.' This is it now, the final moment before he puts his guard up again. You have to choose your words and actions carefully, as one false move could make him twice as guarded.

Tentatively, you reach out, placing your hand over the one in his lap. He looks surprised, as if that's the last thing he'd expected you to do. You give him a soft smile, before saying two little words which change his feelings towards you forever.

'Try me.'

With those words, you see the wall remain grounded, his guard failing to rise. Somehow, you've broken through to him, despite only knowing him for a few weeks. You don't intend to celebrate prematurely, however; he still hasn't opened up to you properly.

He sighs heavily. 'I can't. Not yet. If I tell you now, you might not still be here when I return from Central. I can't risk losing my only friend to things that are long past. I'm sorry.' It's his turn to drop his gaze. You consider your next move again, simultaneously taking in his words. He truly considers you a friend? You're overjoyed at the fact that you mean something to him. You're about to tell him that you consider him a friend too, when you hear him utter something in that low baritone of his.

'Why did you decide to follow me? You had a life back there, helping the other refugees. Why would you give that up for a life of travelling with a wanted fugitive?' You think carefully, trying to think of a way to articulate your reason properly.

You decide to mimic his action from a moment ago, tipping his chin up so that your eyes meet again. You make sure that his gaze is trained solely upon you when you speak.

'I came with you because I think you're worth more than you think you are. You talk as if vengeance is all there is to you, but I don't believe you. There's something inside of you that calls me to you, that compels me to stand by you. I wish you'd cast aside your violent nature, but I know deep down that your actions aren't without reason. I only hope that someday I'll be lucky enough to see the true you, the person hiding behind all of this anger.'

Scar looks at you, a thousand different emotions swimming in his eyes. You're concerned that you've said too much, revealed too much of your budding affection. Surely Scar is going to shut you down, tell you that what you see is a lie.

Unsurprisingly, he backs away, creating a physical distance between you, as well as an emotional one. You feel your heart begin to break, but what did you expect? You know he doesn't have any interest in you, not like that. You should have just accepted his friendship. Now you're going to lose that, too.

Scar starts talking again, so softly you almost struggle to hear him. 'If I were any other man, I'd tackle you back onto the floor and show you exactly what I'm hiding behind all of my anger. If I were any other man, I'd abandon my vendetta, if it meant I got to hold you in my arms at night. If I were any other man, I'd try to make you fall for me, to earn your heart for my own selfish reasons. I am not that man. I'm a murderer, a vicious killer. I don't deserve the understanding or the compassion of a beautiful woman. If you continue to travel with me, you'll have to learn to accept that.' His words hang in the air, almost suffocating you. If anything, his words hurt you more than a rejection. Why won't he let you help him?

You straighten yourself, trying to form your own wall. You cross your arms, trying to look intimidating. 'If I do decide to stay with you, then you'll just have to accept the fact that I won't 'learn to live with it.' I'll never stop trying to find the good in you, Scar, even if it kills me.' He shifts slightly at the word 'kill', but otherwise remains completely still.

The air is still tense between you, so much so that you're surprised Yoki has managed to sleep through. He must sleep like a brick…

Scar sighs, admitting defeat. 'So be it. You should rest now. I'll be leaving at sunrise. I've already told Yoki to keep his distance from you, but if he tries anything, tell me as soon as I return. I'll break every part of him that touched you.' You calm your position, preparing yourself for sleep. You shrug off his jacket, and try to give it back to him again. Yet again he refuses to take it, telling you to use it as a blanket. You do as he advises, snuggling underneath it just as you did in the wagon. The ground is harder in here, but you've slept in far worse places.

You settle down into an uneasy sleep, mind still replaying your conversation with Scar. Did he mean it, what he said about being another man?

That's the final thing you ask yourself before you lose all consciousness.

-POV Switch-

The sun is starting to rise over the horizon, indicating that it's time for Scar to go. As it is still somewhat dark, he decides to wake Yoki, not wanting to leave his companions completely defenceless.

Yoki grumbles incontinently as Scar roughly shakes his shoulder. 'Hmn, piss off.' He opens an eyes, and jolts up when he sees that it's Scar who has woken him up. 'I'm so sorry, sir, I forgot myself! Are you heading off to Central now? Don't you want to say goodbye to your woman, too?' Scar can't tell if the emotion that surges through him is anger or something equally as primitive. His woman… He'd by lying if he said he didn't like the sound of that. Alas, he'd explained to her quite clearly last night that nothing could happen between them. Still, he'd been so close to kissing her after her confession…

Scar's thoughts have reminded him of something. 'Let her rest. That reminds me, my threat still stands. If you so much as glance at her, you'll regret it. Are we clear?'

Yoki gulps loudly. 'Crystal, sir. I'll even make sure she's safe and fed for you!' Scar is inclined to believe him on this occasion. Yoki may be a little stupid, but no one is stupid enough to pick fight with someone who could kill them with a single touch.

Before he leaves, Scar allows himself one final look at his sleeping companion. He regrets that he'll not be here when she wakes, if only because that means he won't get the chance to look into those eyes of hers for a long while. He only hopes that his absence doesn't cause their light to grow dull.

He leaves the house, heading straight for Central, and his next target.